Welcome to the PINE Project!

Congratulations! Through an ESSER-funded, statewide project, you are receiving the Welcoming Library, an award-winning book collection and classroom tool.

The Maine Department of Education commissioned I’m Your Neighbor Books to provide their Welcoming Library: PINE Collection to every SAU in Maine and to produce the PINE Project: Professional Development, a free video series that helps educators utilize the book collection to build belonging for all of their students.

Questions regarding this project can be directed to: Melanie Junkins, Office of Teaching and Learning, Maine Department of Education and/or Kirsten Cappy, Executive Director, I’m Your Neighbor Books.

Welcoming Library: PINE Collection

206 WELCOMING LIBRARIES ADD 6,180 NEW BOOKS TO THE MAINE SCHOOL SYSTEM

Why did I receive these boxes with red crates?

The two red crates are from the Maine nonprofit I’m Your Neighbor Books. They were purchased for your SAU by the Maine Department of Education.

What is in these red crates?

The crates contain the Welcoming Library: Pine Collection which includes:

1) Set of 30 picture books featuring Immigrant and New Generation families with discussion materials in the back of each book

2) Bookshelf to feature the books on.

NOTE: The Maine Association of School Librarians (MASL) asked the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) to acknowledge the Welcoming Library’s contribution to US schools. That commendation for “building a stronger culture of welcoming and belonging” was awarded to I’m Your Neighbor Books in 2021.

How is the Welcoming Library intended to be used?

In any way you choose. The Welcoming Library is designed to be a shared district resource. The reusable crates and cardboard inserts allow you to pack, transport, and loan the Welcoming Library to any staff member in your district. Your district librarians may be the best placed to design a loan system for the Welcoming Library.

How is bookshelf assembled?

Follow this step-by-step assembly sheet.

What are the books in the collection?

Explore the book collection. Each of the acclaimed picture books has companion discussion questions affixed to the book’s back pages. These questions, based on core CASEL tenants, are designed to foster valuable conversations among students and educators.

How was this project funded?

ESSER (CRRSA and Emergency) funds received from the US Department of Education (USDOE) support the implementation of this project. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the USDOE or the U.S. Government.

PINE Project: Professional Development

FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFERS A GROUNDBREAKING WAY TO INTEGRATE DIVERSE VOICES

What is the PINE Project?

With the PINE Project: Professional Development, the Maine Department of Education and I’m Your Neighbor Books aim to enhance student’s understanding of diverse experiences and foster an inclusive school environment using the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) 5 framework, focusing on identity, agency, belonging, collaborative problem-solving, and curiosity. The final PD includes a unique collection of lectures by leading Maine educators and a cast of Immigrant and First Generation educators and authors.

When will this PD be available?

The digital training videos are now available on the Maine DOE website.

How is the Welcoming Library connected?

The Welcoming Library: PINE Collection is aligned with the forthcoming PINE Project: Professional Development. The free, self-guided video series uses the picture books in the collection.

Why use Immigrant and New Generation stories to help all our students navigate SEL?

Immigrant families have not only migrated, but they are on unique social emotional journeys. Arriving in a new culture, they must navigate who they are, what they believe, how to support their families, how to make friends, and how to be productive members of the community. Their resiliency in this navigation is a compelling model for all of us.

Who produced this PD?

This PD, commissioned by the Maine Department of Education and produced by I’m Your Neighbor Books, is based on a 2023-2024 pilot project with 16 Maine elementary educators from Biddeford to 


Jonesport. The lead educator was Michelle Amato with educator Melissa Guerrette as a lead consultant.

How was this project funded?

ESSER (CRRSA and Emergency) funds received from the US Department of Education (USDOE) support the implementation of this project. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the USDOE or the U.S. Government.